Abstract

This paper proposes to
• Define mixed method research
• Set out some of the reasons why mixed methods may currently be in the ascendancy and identify opportunities and risks attached to these for researchers
• Consider some of the main rationales for choosing a mixed method research strategy – the three Ps of paradigms, pragmatics and politics
• Explicate how a mixed method strategy plays out during the research process: the research design phase, the fieldwork phase, the analysis phase and contextualisation
• Address particular issues: Quality criteria, teaching mixed methods, writing up mixed methods research